Radical Rhythm 2010

Check out our recently updated ONLINE CALENDAR to find out when we are hosting gatherings. If it’s posted on the calendar, you are invited!

Joy Ike live in Bed-Stuy!

Radical Living and NY Faith & Justice are pleased to present performer, singer, songwriter JOY IKE this Saturday at Sucre Cafe and Jazz Lounge.

Joy Ike’s music is an indie-infused mix of pop, jazz, and neo-soul, and has often been compared to the likes of Fiona Apple, Corrinne Bailey Rae, and Norah Jones. The Pittsburgh-grown, Nigerian singer/songwriter has only been writing and performing for 5 years but in that short amount of time has garnered much success in the independent music scene and has been voted “Best Solo Artist” by the Pittsburgh City Paper for the last three years….Joy Ike’s music has often been recognized for its lyrical depth- addressing social issues and universal subject matters of love, loneliness, and the search for God.

Also, one of Radical Living’s newest members, Esau EZ Davis, will also be performing a new piece. EZ is singer, poet, hip hop artist, and a deejay at 92.3.

Place: Sucre Jazz Lounge and Cafe on DekalbAvenue, near Bedford Avenue.

Time: 12-2pm

Directions: Take G train to Bedford/Nostrand. Exit toward Bedford and Lafayette. Walk towards Dekalb, make a left, see Sucre on your immediate left.

Intentional Gathering!

Friends and fellow Communitarians!

On the afternoon of Saturday, November 21st, about a dozen Christian intentional communities from throughout New York City and Long island gathered at Judson Memorial Church for the fourth (quarterly) Gathering of Communities. Some of the communities represented included Catholic Worker, Harlem House (née Bruderhof), Banner House, Radical Living, Whole House, Menno House, Harlem Girls, and several others.

The gathering opened with a potluck and time for fellowship, followed by individual and community intros. Each person answered one of three questions:

1. How do you/your community do Sabbath?
2. How does your community do hospitality?
3. What issue(s) is your community wrestling with?

Every response shared drew us into greater solidarity, and helped us to realize that, although each community has its own distinct identity, we all encounter and wrestle with similar themes and issues. After intros we broke into small groups to discuss various topics, including: radical hospitality, community organizing, youth justice, and communal ways to respond to poverty. After the discussion each group prayed for one another and for ways to grow in understanding and application regarding the topic addressed. Concluding the small group discussion, one person from each group shared with the larger group about the topic discussed.

The gathering was a great time of deepening inter-community relationships, skill-sharing, and prayer. Thanks to each person and community that made it possible, and a special thanks to the folks at Banner House, Harlem Girls, Harlem House and Radical Living for collectively organizing the event. Make sure to check out the NYC Community of Communities website and our online calendar. If you have something to share, send it this way. Also, we need more administrators for the website and calendar. If you are tech savvy, or simply have time and interest, give me a holler, and you can be added.Thanks again for your love and fellowship!

In Christ,

Jason (Radical Living)

4th Gathering of NYC Communities

The Gathering of Communities IV will be Saturday, November 21, from noon to 4pm at Judson Memorial Church near Washington Square in the West Village. Please come to discuss, meet others and get involved with groups of people who are living in community in New York City and nearby.

Pray with Africa (film screening)

Join Radical Living and friends at 614 Marcy Avenue (Services for the Underserved-Marcy/Hart House) for a screening of the film Pray with Africa. The event takes place on Wednesday, October 21st at 7pm. To learn more, visit the website at www.praywithafrica.com.

Here’s a blurb from the filmmakers:

“Pray With Africa is a viral movement to inspire people to connect across continents, to pray each other’s prayers, and to put those prayers into action. It is about building relationships and bridges between here and there and changing the world through prayer. Their hope is to inspire millions of people to pray together harnessing not only the immense power of prayer but also the immense power of a worldwide community working together to make a difference.

“There are already plenty of people around the world doing that very thing. Instead, Pray With Africa is asking people to pray with Africa—to be in relationship with others across the world and, through those relationships, change the world for the better.”

Openings at RL

Radical Living currently has rooms available for both men and women. Please see the membership page to learn how to become a member.

NYC Community of Communities

The NYC Community of Communities has launched a web site (i.e., blog). Check it out at this link. Also here’s a blurb from the “About” page:

“The NYC Community of communities is a collective of Christian intentional communities located throughout the five boroughs and Long Island. We include Emmaus House, Catholic Worker, the Bruderhof’s Harlem House, Radical Living, Banner House, Menno House, Harlem Girls, Whole House, and more. Our purpose as a collective is to strengthen our inter-community relationships, as well as increase our presence (i.e., social witness) in New York City in an effort to organize around social justice issues and to move collectively to serve and partner with those who live on the margins of our society.”

Freedom Rides

(Freedom Rides begin May 4, 1961.)

Last Monday Congressman John Lewis, who participated in the Freedom Rides to desegregate the South, was arrested outside the Sudanese Embassy for protesting the genocide in Darfur. While in D.C. last Sunday, the day before his arrest, a couple of us from Radical Living were blessed to hear Mr. Lewis speak at Shiloh Baptist Church for the kick-off to Sojo’s Mobilization to End Poverty. It was amazing to be in the presence of a man who continues to witness against injustice through word and action.

Conversation with Mark Van Steenwyk

On Friday, May 1st at 7 p.m. join Radical Living for an evening of conversation with Missio Dei’s founder and fellow communitarian Mark Van Steenwyk. Mark is a Mennonite pastor, editor of the web zine Jesus Manifesto, and founder of Missio Dei (an Anabaptist intentional community anchored on the West Bank of Minneapolis that pursues Jesus’ way of simplicity, prayer, hospitality, and peace). Missio Dei is affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA and the Baptist General Conference. The evening will be an informal time of sharing stories and experiences about new monasticism, intentional communities and radical discipleship.

The gathering will be held at Radical Living’s Marcy House, located at 622 Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Take the G train to Myrtle-Willoughby, exit the station, cross the street and walk down Marcy Avenue for three blocks. The house is located on the corner of Hart and Marcy. Enter the gate and walk up the stairs.

Agape Times

Here’s a link to our fourth and most recent edition of Agape Times, the quarterly e-zine of Radical Living. In it you will find articles about Christian living, faith and politics, intentional communities, and more.